Fire Safety in UNL Housing

University Housing has received several calls about fire safety in the residence halls. Only three halls - Burr, Fedde, and the 4000, 5000, 6000 and 8000 buildings of Selleck Quadrangle, do not have sprinkler systems. According to Glen Schumann, assistant director of University Housing for Facilities, Selleck 8000 will be completed this summer with continual plans to sprinkle the remaining buildings.

Students learn of fire safety soon after move in, according to Jeanne Keyser, assistant director of Residence Life for Systems Management and Projects. "Resident Assistants talk about it at their first floor meetings," Keyser said. Signs are posted on all floors. RAs are trained by the Fire Investigator's office.

Schumann notes University Housing is currently in compliance with Fire Life Safety codes. Other UNL fire safety facts:

• Fire Life Safety systems (alarm panels, sprinklers, smoke detectors, etc.) are inspected annually.
• Smoke detectors in student rooms are inspected four times a year. Code only requires once per year.
• Emergency generators/battery backup lights are used to light paths to fire exits leading outside.
• All student room doors are fire rated.
• Fire alarm speakers are placed in student rooms rather than in the hallway.
• Buildings are never without fire protection. If any alarm or sprinkler system is down, staff walk the areas affected until the systems are back on line.
• Trash chutes are sprinkled and trash is compacted. The use of a compactor almost eliminates trash chute fires.